In today’s episode, I sit down with Cate Luzio, founder of Luminary, a global, gender-inclusive professional education and networking platform built to uplift and propel women and allies at every stage of their career journey. We talk about why intentional community matters now more than ever, the power of showing up as your full self at work, and the evolution of leadership through connection.
Cate’s story is a masterclass in bold pivots, purposeful leadership, and building impact with heart. We explore what it looks like to shift from corporate finance to founding a mission-driven platform, how to create programming that actually serves people, and why the best mentoring is rooted in relationship—not formality.
Whether you’re climbing the ladder, shifting gears, or dreaming up what’s next, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to do it alone.
🧭 Episode Highlights + Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to The Goode Guide
01:30 – Why Community is the Heart of Growth
04:00 – Cate’s Pivot from Finance to Founding Luminary
06:50 – The Power of Inclusive, Multi-Generational Networks
10:20 – Digital Expansion + Building Belonging Across Borders
14:40 – Reprioritizing Career & Life After the Pandemic
17:10 – Creating Safe, Supportive Spaces for Women and Allies
20:55 – What Makes an Intentional Community Work
25:00 – Men in the Room: Allyship & Engagement in Practice
29:00 – Programming with Purpose: Built by the Community, for the Community
33:45 – Leading with Your Whole Self at Work
37:15 – What Professional Fulfillment Actually Looks Like
42:10 – Lessons in Mentorship, Sponsorship & Organic Connection
46:30 – Career Growth Isn’t Always Linear—And That’s Okay
52:00 – What Cate Would Tell Her 25-Year-Old Self
54:10 – Where to Find & Connect with Cate Luzio and Luminary
Resources & Links:
Learn more about Luminary: weareluminary.com
Connect with Cate on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cateluzio
Follow Luminary on Instagram: @weareluminary
Learn more about The Goode Guide and coaching: thegoodeguide.co
🎧 Listen to the full episode now and don’t forget to leave a review if this conversation sparked something for you. You showing up here helps others do the same.
